'Birds Fly West to Face Defending ArenaBowl Champions
April 17, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Firebirds open up a two-game west coast to east coast road trip when the team travels to San Jose to face the defending ArenaBowl Champion SaberCats this Saturday night in HP Pavilion. The game will be televised live on UPN Indiana TV-23 with kickoff set for 9:30 pm (Indianapolis Time). The game will also be broadcast on the Firebirds' Radio Network, which includes ESPN Radio 950 AM, WPZZ 95.9 FM "The Point", ESPN Radio 1130 (Brazil), and ESPN Radio 1300 (Terre Haute).
Following Saturday's game in San Jose, the Firebirds will travel across the country to meet the Buffalo Destroyers next Saturday as the final third of the 2003 season commences. Entering this week's play, the 'Birds trail Central Division-leading Grand Rapids Rampage by three games and second place Dallas Desperados by a game with five games remaining in the regular season.
The Firebirds' and SaberCats' history dates back to the 1996 season with the all-time series tied at three wins apiece. The two teams last met on July 5th of last season when the SaberCats upended the Firebirds 52-41 in San Jose. With the win, the SaberCats recorded its twelfth consecutive win of the season, which is currently the best start to a season in AFL history before going on to win its first-ever ArenaBowl Championship. Despite the loss, the Firebirds have won three out of the last four meetings with San Jose entering Saturday's contest.
The game will feature two sure-fire Hall of Famers and arguably the two greatest players to ever play in the Arena Football League. Indiana wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Brown and San Jose wide receiver/defensive back Barry Wagner rank in the top two in nearly every single offensive statistical category in AFL history. Brown, a nine-year veteran, is the League's all-time leader in receptions (922), receiving yards (12,429), receiving touchdowns (301), and is second in League history in total touchdowns (342) and points scored (2,058). Not to be outdone, Wagner has etched his own name in the AFL's record books during his playing career. The twelve-year veteran is currently the League's all-time leader in points scored (2,250), rushing touchdowns (99), total touchdowns (368), and is second to Brown in receptions (875), receiving yards (12,165), and receiving touchdowns (254). Though Brown has just recently moved from OS to WR/LB, Wagner has spent his entire career playing on both sides of the ball. A six-time Ironman of the Year award winner, Wagner has recorded more tackles than any player in League history (588.5) and is third in career interceptions (40).
Quarterback Raymond Philyaw returned to the starting lineup last week versus the Dallas Desperados after spending five weeks on injured reserve, completing 23-of-40 passes for 294 yards and threw for a season-high eight touchdowns in leading the 'Birds to its fifth win of the season. Inspired by Philyaw's return, Brown put together maybe his best performance of the year, catching seven balls for 95 yards and caught a season-high four touchdown passes including the game-winning touchdown catch with seven seconds remaining in the contest. He also had one solo tackle before earning Ironman of the Game honors for the first time in his career. Brown will look to carry over his productivity from last week to this week's meeting with San Jose, where he has enjoyed success in years past. In six career games versus the SaberCats, Brown has caught 51 balls for 696 yards and 17 touchdowns including a career-high 16 receptions in a win over San Jose on July 15, 2001.
The game also features the top two rushing teams in the AFL as the SaberCats average 37.3 yards rushing per game (1st in AFL) whereas the Firebirds average 27.7 yards gained on the ground (2nd in AFL). San Jose has boasted the most potent rushing attack in the League to this point, leading the League in rushing attempts (114), rushing yards (410), and rushing touchdowns (36). The Firebirds have a strong running game of their own having rushed the ball 93 times (3rd in AFL) for 305 yards (2nd in AFL), and 22 touchdowns (3rd in AFL).
A win would bring the Firebirds back to the .500 mark for the first time since week six and would give the 'Birds back to back wins for the first time since weeks two and three of the regular season.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 17, 2003
- 'Birds Fly West to Face Defending ArenaBowl Champions - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- San Jose Signs QB Daft - San Jose SaberCats
- AFL Must-See Matchups - AFL I
- AFL Quick Hitters - AFL I
- Firebirds Sign Brian Alford from Practice Squad, Waive Backup QB Ballard - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Buffalo Completes Road Trip in LA - Buffalo Destroyers
- Rush Extends Contracts of Assistant Coaches - Chicago Rush
- Gruden Returns to AFL on NBC - AFL I
- The battle of I-85 continues - Georgia Force
- Perez Returns to His Business Venture - Colorado Crush
- Cobras Activate Three From Injured Reserve - Carolina Cobras
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